What other scriptures highlight the world's hostility towards God's messengers? Revelation 11:10 – Humanity’s Celebration over Silenced Witnesses “And those who dwell on the earth will gloat over them and celebrate and send one another gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who dwell on the earth.” Old Testament Echoes – Prophets Rejected and Assaulted • Genesis 37:18–20 – “They plotted to kill him.” Joseph’s God-given dreams provoked murderous jealousy. • 1 Kings 19:2 – Jezebel’s threat: “May the gods deal with me… if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like the lives of those you killed.” • 2 Chronicles 24:20-21 – Zechariah stoned “in the courtyard of the house of the LORD.” • 2 Chronicles 36:16 – “They mocked God’s messengers, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets until the wrath of the LORD… was stirred up beyond remedy.” • Jeremiah 20:2 – Pashhur “had Jeremiah the prophet beaten and put in the stocks.” • Jeremiah 26:8 – Priests and prophets seize Jeremiah: “You must surely die!” • Amos 7:12-13 – Amaziah orders Amos, “Never prophesy at Bethel again.” Jesus Foretells and Shares the Same Hatred • Matthew 5:11-12 – “Blessed are you when people insult you… for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.” • Matthew 10:22 – “You will be hated by everyone on account of My name.” • Matthew 14:10 – Herod “had John beheaded in the prison.” • Matthew 21:35 – In the parable, tenants “beat one, killed another, and stoned a third.” • Matthew 23:34-37 – “I am sending you prophets… some of them you will kill… O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets.” • John 15:18-20 – “If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first… If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well.” The Early Church Walks the Same Road • Acts 4:3 – Peter and John seized and jailed for preaching. • Acts 5:17-18 – Apostles arrested “and put them in the public jail.” • Acts 7:57-58 – Stephen dragged out and stoned. • Acts 12:1-3 – Herod kills James and imprisons Peter “seeing that this pleased the Jews.” • Acts 16:22-23 – Paul and Silas stripped, beaten with rods, and imprisoned. Letters That Describe the Continuing Pattern • 1 Thessalonians 2:14-15 – “You suffered… the very things they suffered from the Jews, who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets.” • 2 Corinthians 11:24-25 – “Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one… three times I was beaten with rods.” • 2 Timothy 3:12 – “Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” • Hebrews 11:36-38 – “They were stoned, they were sawed in two… the world was not worthy of them.” • 1 Peter 4:4 – “They heap abuse on you” for not plunging into the same sin. Why These Passages Matter The celebration over the slain witnesses in Revelation 11:10 is the culmination of a long-standing pattern: when God sends truth, a hostile world pushes back. His messengers—whether Joseph, Elijah, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Stephen, or the two end-time prophets—stand in the same line. Scripture records the world’s resistance so believers will not be surprised, will remember the Lord’s promise of reward, and will hold fast to faithful witness until He vindicates His servants. |
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